John Winkler, Tosh.0 Production Assistant, Mistakenly Killed by Police

John Winkler, a 30-year old production assistant on Tosh.0, was shot and killed by police who believed him to be the culprit at a murder scene inside an apartment complex.

According to the L.A. County District Attorney's Office, deputies were called to the complex amidst reports of a knife attack.

They arrived to find a man running out of his residence, holding a bloody neck would, with Winkler giving chase. Both individuals were headed toward the officers.

Prosecutors say that deputies fired at Winkler, thinking he was the attacker, and killed him on the spot.

"The apartment door suddenly opened and a male victim came rushing out," read a statement from the LASD. "He was covered in blood and bleeding profusely from the neck. Simultaneously, victim Winkler ran out of the door, lunging at the back of the fleeing victim. Both ran directly at the deputies."

It continued:

"Winkler was similar to the description of the suspect and was wearing a black shirt. Believing Winkler was the assailant and the assault was ongoing and he would attack the entry team; three deputies fired their duty weapons at him."

Friends say Winkler, who moved to California six months ago, heard screaming from the apartment in question and had gone to check on the occupants.

The actual suspect, meanwhile, is now in custody and has been charged with murder, two counts of attempted murder and one count of torture in connection with what allegedly went down inside the building.